May - Anniversary Month at Pheasant Field B&B

May - Anniversary Month at Pheasant Field B&B

Mother's Day Weekend

Mother's Day is just 2 weeks away! We have just a few rooms open for that weekend so it's time to reserve your room to treat Mom! Here are some ideas for you:  Check-in at Pheasant Field B&B; Dinner at Boiling Springs Tavern; See a show ("Happy Days - A New Musical") at Allenberry Theatre; Sleep well and enjoy a full country breakfast at the B&B; Head off to enjoy the Wine & Fruit Trail where there is very special treat for Mom at Reid's Orchard & Winery.

You can enjoy the tour of the apple orchards on your way to the winery and maybe take in some history around Gettysburg before returning to the B&B or heading home.

It's all for Mom!



Back in January 2012, I told you about our new Generac Generator.  Today I have to tell you how much I LOVE IT!!!!!  The power went off in our neighborhood this morning at about 5:15 AM while I was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for my guests (yes - we do serve very early!).  Of course, at that hour of the morning, all went black in the kitchen - but only for 30 seconds!  Then I heard our Generac kick on and, voila! I was back in business with coffee brewing and the griddle warming-up!  The installation of that generator was one of the BEST investments/insurance policies we've ever purchased! It had me doing my "happy dance" at 5:15 AM! Sorry, Chuck was not out of bed at that hour to take a picture of my happy dance...

Happy Spring!  Happy Mother's Day!

What's blooming in Carlisle, PA

WELCOME to Pheasant Field B&B!

It's spring and things are really blooming here at Pheasant Field B&B near Carlisle, PA!  We have other signs of spring here at the farm -- our equestrian "snowbirds" are making their way north.  Some of those guests know that they will see snow when they get home but while they're here, they can enjoy some of our spring blossoms. Enjoy these pictures taken around the property:

The view from our front porch.

Enjoy a flowery walk near the pond.

This is the view as you enter our driveway...

...a closeup of one of the blooms...

This tree is always SO beautiful in the spring!

Visiting pups - so well mannered!

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Even the horses see beautiful trees as they much on new shoots of tender grass.

Remember that the first car show of the year happens in Carlisle next weekend. We have a room open on Thursday night and one on Saturday night. So come to Carlisle in the spring for cars, fishing, antiquing, or hiking!

Spring herbs

The warm weather has been wonderful for our little herb garden.  This week I used my first fresh - really fresh - herbs from my own property!  There are fresh chives, which I used in an egg dish, and fresh parsley which I used mostly for garnish.  But it is so nice to be able to just run outside and cut the chives as I'm ready to use them! 

I remember when... My grandmother used to cut dandelion and make a wonderful salad with the tender young plants. Of course, she would make her own hot bacon dressing to make it yummy (and maybe a bit less healthy). I have been adding a few young sprouts of dandelion to my own salads at lunch time.  Make sure you find young plants so they are still tender and sweet.  I read a blog last week from a local plant guru who wrote that the wild onions growing in the lawns can also be used for cooking!  I think I will have to try it!
The other wonderful garnish that's available now are pansies!  Yes, you can eat them, but mostly they dress up a plate of special eggs and make the whole look pretty!


Whatever your favorite spring herbs are, go use the really fresh stuff available right now!

Quilts, quilts, and MORE QUILTS!

This is a small wall hanging.

It's time for the PA Relief Sale at the PA Farm Show Complex!  Hundreds of beautiful quilts will go up for bid at this annual auction sponsored by the Mennonite Central Committee.  All proceeds are used to fund world-wide relief - from famine, disasters, and diseases - mostly in third-world countries.  You can help by purchasing one of these fine quilts - all made by volunteers!  There is also wonderful food, more items to buy, and fun entertainment.  Don't miss this one!  The Relief auction starts on Friday evening (4/5/13) at 6:30 PM and will continue on Saturday until all the quilts have been sold.

I think this is my favorite!

This is the season for horsey "snowbird" visitors at Pheasant Field B&B!  We are having a rather steady stream of horses - and their owners - stopping by on their way to Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, upstate NY, Maine, Quebec, and Ontario. If you are on your way north on I-81 and need a place to stop with your horse, we are the place to layover in PA - providing gracious accommodations for man and beast! 

Signs of Spring!

I have a confession to make -- I have a real love/hate relationship with the month of March!  I wonder how we can go from Monday's snow storm - see below -  to Wednesday's nice, sunny day filled with lots of crocuses and early tulips!   March can be a real winter wonderland one day and seem like early summer season just a day or two later. 

The thing I love about March is the sense of expectancy.  When I take a hike on the Appalachian Trail and look at all the trees and shrubs, I can tell that nature is just ready to burst out and say "Hello again world"!

What I hate about March is the mud!  I can brush my horse, Malcolm, and as soon as he goes outside again, he rolls in the messiest, muddiest area of the pasture that he can find!  When I turn out the horses in the AM, there is mud all around the water hydrants.  If I'm not careful, the mud can actually suck the shoes off my feet.  What a mess in the month of March!

The view from our front porch, Monday March 25, 2013

Spring crocuses March 27, 2013

Early tulips March 27, 2013

Work begins again March 27, 2013

Here is another sure sign of spring - the workers have re-started the siding on the remainder of our barn! For the past two months I have been reporting that work would begin soon... Now it's official!  No more painting the barn siding!  The barn will look great for the wedding season here at Pheasant Field B&B! 

March is also the end of voting for Harrisburg Magazine's "Simply The Best B&B" and other shops and services.  Go vote now - while you are sitting at your computer!  Thanks for taking the time to do this!

Spring is a wonderful time to plan a visit to Carlisle PA - for fishing, hiking, studying history, or shopping for fine crafts -  come stay with us and relax and rejuvenate!

Now, move along March so we can celebrate a real SPRING!

Green in Carlisle PA

March is all about going, growing and wearing GREEN!

Spring is on its way and things are turning green here at Pheasant Field Bed & Breakfast.  The crocuses are already blooming, the daffodils have buds on them and the tulips are two inches high. Soon Chuck will be using his favorite green machine - the John Deere lawn tractor - to mow all the acres of grass on our property.  Yes, green and bright  yellow  are my two favorite colors of spring!

Tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day.  That means "the wearin' o' the green".  We will not be serving any green beer here at the B&B - but you are welcome to bring your own!  Irish Soda bread will be on the menu for breakfast tomorrow.

We have been "green" here at Pheasant Field B&B for many years. We recycle and invite guest to help too by using the special recycling containers in each room.  Last year we told you about the installation of our solar hot water system.  We are happy to report that the system is working very well and generating lots of hot water. We are pleased to be using less carbon based fuel (oil) to give you a nice hot shower!  In PA, we can choose energy suppliers.  We have chosen to use a PA based company which uses wind energy to produce power!  That's just one other green effort from us.

Solar Hot Water at Pheasant Field B&B

With spring, the wanderlust factor in all of us begins to emerge!  It's time to do some traveling and the Carlisle area has lots of spring events to keep you busy. The car show season begins,  ski season is replaced by zip lines and OGO balls, the farm markets and nurseries are gearing up, and soon the art and craft show season will be upon us.  Visit the Cumberland Valley this spring and stay at "Simply the Best B&B" as voted by readers of Harrisburg Magazine!